Empower students to reach their goals IN schools and beyond.

We’re ALL IN this together!

With your support, we are able to reach more students and families each year. In the 2020-2021 school year, 98% of our case-managed seniors graduated from high school.

CIS reaches students who are without access to mental health resources, who may not have their basic needs met, or who are without the guidance of a caring adult to help them navigate their present, dream about their future, and realize their potential. Your generous donation allows Communities In Schools of Houston to connect students with caring adults who help them access the resources needed to reach their fullest potential.

Help us surround students with a community of support by making a gift today!

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Brenda

At CIS of Houston, our “whatever it takes” approach is embodied by our Student Support Managers who go all “IN” to ensure students have what they need to graduate and succeed in life.   

At Northbrook High School in Spring Branch ISD, Martha (Mrs. Sanchez) has been a constant in her students’ lives, providing a safe space for them to talk through their feelings and connecting them with the resources they need to succeed.  

Meet Brenda, a CIS graduate from Northbrook. She shared how there were many challenges growing up such as having a hectic home life and needing to become independent at a young age; working a full-time 40-hour job from the age of 15 while still managing a full course load.   

Brenda said, “Within these last 3 years, I have gone through depression, an eating disorder, and trauma. CIS and Mrs. Sanchez were the ones who have helped me through so much. I am so glad I am blessed with someone who always makes the best out of the bad days and always somehow puts a smile on my face at the end of all the breakdowns. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her hard work and all her problem-solving.”  

Brenda credits Martha for connecting her to the resources and knowledge to obtain the documents she needed to open a bank account, begin building credit, and gain financial independence as she enters adult life. She is saving her money and hopes to move into her own apartment soon.  

Brenda is looking forward to participating in the CIS/Houston Bar Association (HBA) Legal Internship Program this summer as an intern for Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. 

“All of this is a big thank you to the person who has been guiding and helping me through all the tears and bad days, Mrs. Sanchez in CIS. Thank you for the support and push I’ve always needed” 

Ana

Throughout high school, Ana encountered many obstacles, like trying to balance her time between school, work, and playing sports. At times being able to handle it all felt like too much for Ana, but when she visited with her CIS Student Support Specialist, also named Ana, she received advice on how to manage her time and persevere when things felt too overwhelming. Ana said, “Ms. Ana (CIS) has helped me through my journey by reminding me that everything I do is for a purpose... she has encouraged me when I felt like giving up and I am here thanks to her.”   

Having CIS by her side throughout her senior year, Ana was able to overcome her barriers, stay determined and graduate from high school! Next school year Ana will be attending Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

Juan

Juan’s Student Support Manager, Rene, was so excited to share this young man’s success throughout high school. He said, “CIS has supported him through his senior year. Juan said I was like his school father always encouraging him and pushing him to do better, and encouraging him to make good choices.”  

Juan was an active member in CIS, Wellness on Wheels, Forte (step team), and the varsity baseball team manager. He also received a job from the CIS/HBA Legal Internship Program and looks forward to attending Texas Southern University in the fall. He hopes to join the CIS of Houston Alumni Program and even asked how he could become a CIS social worker one day.

Ashanti

Meet Ashanti, who hopes to be a nurse one day and credits CIS for introducing her to post-graduation possibilities. 

Ashanti recalls facing certain barriers on her journey to graduation such as having to get a job to help support her family. She was grateful to have CIS to turn to for support and guidance throughout her time at Sterling Aviation Early College High School in Houston ISD. Ashanti said, “CIS helped me out by giving me options. Before CIS, my plans were to graduate and that was going to be it. With CIS, I have somewhere to start after graduation.”  

When we asked Ashanti what she is excited to do after graduating from high school she shared, “I am really excited to start the CIS-Methodist Hospital Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Externship! I am ready to go out into the medical field. My plans are to start the internship program, and once I finish, I will enroll in a 2-year nursing course at Houston Community College to become a registered nurse.” 

Rhy’ll

“CIS helped me through high school by allowing me to realize that even if I'm going through things, it's always good to just talk about it instead of just keeping it bottled up and being mad about it. It's always good to have someone to talk to.   

I'm really excited to go to college so I can pursue my dream of being a nurse. In August I plan to settle down and move into adulthood and see what college has to offer me. I will be attending San Jacinto College.”